Betty and Mike
Dark-water Rescues
Ms. Betty and Mr. Mike both specialize in dark water search & recovery/rescue. They work under the sheriff are are funded by him. Mr. Mike has been working for the sheriffs flotilla for over 50 years. With the Sheriffs funding, they can buy specialized equipment such as
aluminum boats
center console boats
air boats with ac and a cabin, to work with computer to scan downward
side scan on open boats
divers
RULES OF THE WATER
always wear a life jacket in a moving boat
reach or throw but never go
If possible, first try to throw something like a rope or towel to get to the victim or use some item to reach for them. Never swim after panicking victim.
Conditions of Recovery
The recovery conditions of a body all depend on natural effects such as water temperature, current directions, weather, time of death, and season. For example, if a body is dead upon impact of the water, the body will float, but if they die in the water, the body will sink.
If the body sinks, the conditions of recovery depend on its flotation. A bodies ability to float will depend on the temperature of the water, what they ate/drank before frowning, the location, and the currents. It will typically take a body 3-4 days to float depending on the type of water that the victim is in. For example, salt water is more buoyant that freshwater, therefor the body will float faster.
Location
The location not only effects if the body floats or end up, it also helps them determine where to start looking. Ms. Betty and Mr. Mike say the main reason they search for bodies is for closure for the families, determine death, legal reasons, and criminal cases. They can search for a minimum of 1 month.
Appearance
The appearance of the body after being underwater depends on the amount of time the body was under water and where it was, but most bodies have:
darkened skin
bloated stomachs
decomposed skin
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